Hypothetical Question About Particles & Movement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hypothetical question regarding the movement of sub-atomic particles, specifically whether it is possible to measure or calculate the speed and time taken for a particle to travel a distance of 1 Planck length, while excluding quantum interactions and uncertainties. The scope includes conceptual reasoning and technical considerations related to particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the velocity of the particle could be calculated as distance divided by time, asserting that the Planck length is not special in this context.
  • Another participant questions how to measure the time taken by the particle, asking if special equipment or equations are needed beyond basic assumptions.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the times and distances involved are smaller than current measurement capabilities, suggesting that unknown physics may emerge at such scales, while also stating that the Planck length is just a distance if quantum mechanics is ignored.
  • One participant argues that excluding quantum interactions trivializes the problem, as the Planck length is defined within the framework of quantum mechanics and is significant in discussions of quantum gravity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the Planck length and the implications of excluding quantum mechanics. There is no consensus on how to approach the measurement or calculation of the particle's movement.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumption of ignoring quantum interactions, which may not be feasible given the nature of the Planck length and its relation to quantum mechanics. The discussion also highlights the challenges of measuring phenomena at such small scales with current technology.

InfiniteEntity
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I was watching videos on YouTube and this question suddenly popped into my head: If I was able to push a sub-atomic particle (proton, electron, etc...) a distance of 1 Planck length. Excluding all the quantum interactions and uncertainties, is it possible to measure/calculate how fast the particle would be going? Or how much time it takes for it to travel that distance?

I was thinking that it would travel at the speed of light, making it easy to determine the time taken, but I figured that since the particles are not of mass-less property, they cannot travel at the speed of light.

P.S I have a chemistry exam tomorrow and I'm thinking of this thing. Help me.
 
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Yes, the velocity would just be the distance divided by the time taken to travel that distance. The Planck length is nothing special in this regard.
 
That's fine. But then, how would you really measure the time taken by the particle? Is there any sort of special equipment (if measurable) or equation (if calculable) needed other than just knowing or assuming the value?
 
InfiniteEntity said:
That's fine. But then, how would you really measure the time taken by the particle? Is there any sort of special equipment (if measurable) or equation (if calculable) needed other than just knowing or assuming the value?
The times and distances involved are much smaller than we can measure with our best available lab equipment, so it's possible (and good reasons to think it's likely) that some as not unknown physics will appear at that scale. But based on what we know so far, there's nothing special about the Planck length; it's just a distance like any other.
 
InfiniteEntity said:
Excluding all the quantum interactions and uncertainties

This sort of makes the problem completely trivial, because the Planck length is defined using quantum mechanics (and is expected to be important for quantum gravity). If you ignore the theory that makes it significant, then it is not significant, and you're just moving a particle by a particular length scale.
 
InfiniteEntity said:
P.S I have a chemistry exam tomorrow and I'm thinking of this thing. Help me.

Concentrate on the chemistry!
 

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